Policy Statement and General Guidelines on Family Life and Sex Education.

Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield.

This guide is a statement of policy and guidelines on family life and sex education devised by the Illinois State Board of Education to aid local boards of education, school administrators, and community groups in developing and implementing new programs or extending existing programs. A statement of policy including purpose, programs, and implementation is presented. An introduction delineates the Illinois Sex Education Act. The legal basis for family life-sex education is detailed in terms of 17 practical guidelines for family life-sex education programs, e.g., how to plan a program, whom to involve in the community, and how to make the program a continuous process. In addition, 24 general objectives for family life-sex education, e.g., understanding the significance of family life, understanding love as a constructive force, and developing positive attitudes of self-worth, are listed. Appendix A includes criteria for selecting printed and audio-visual sex education instructional materials as well as sample forms for evaluating these materials. Appendix B includes the Illinois Sex Education Act and a list of members of the Illinois Sex Education Advisory Board. Although geographically specific, these materials could serve as a model for the development of similar guidelines. (Author/PAS)